Click here for the
Teacher of the Year questionnaire.

Application deadline for 2026 is midnight, Sunday, July 26, 2026. This applies to all GCOI entrants!

All Arizona high school teachers of Science, Technology. Engineering, and Math (STEM) and Career and Technical Education (CTE) subjects are invited to submit an application for Teacher of the Year. This award is presented at the annual Governor’s Celebration of Innovation held in November.

Details, awards, rules and regulations are here.

Each year, the Arizona Technology Council (AzTechCouncil) and the Arizona Commerce Authority present the Teacher of the Year award to Arizona’s top STEM or CTE teacher. The presentation will take place at the annual Governor’s Celebration of Innovation (GCOI) awards ceremony along with awards honoring Arizona’s top students and technology companies.

One top award winner and up to two honorable mentions are selected from all nominee entries, to receive a cash award and the opportunity to share their personal teaching experiences at the GCOI awards ceremony. Judges review several different professional areas, including education and experience, classroom techniques and success, and mentoring and extracurricular activities addressing both students and other teachers.

Share with your colleagues by downloading the Teacher-of-the-Year infographic (PDF)!

Follow this link to see previous GCOI winners and runners-up.

The Teacher of the Year award is presented concurrently with
the Future Innovator of the Year award for students.

The Governor’s Celebration of Innovation, under the auspices of the Arizona Technology Council and the Arizona Commerce Authority, has become the premier technology community gathering of its kind in Arizona. Attendees include technologists, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, legislators, investors, and policymakers.